Optima EPS Powder Coat Paint Process
This data sheet describes the standard painting practice used at Optima EPS Inc.,
Lawrenceville, GA facility on our console, enclosure and cabinet products:
• Cabinet Series: R, S, M, F and MS
• Enclosures: E-Case, Outdoor
• Desks & Consoles
The information contained herein is based on Optima’s manufacturing and engineering
standards.
Procedures
Pretreatment: Before each product is painted, it is prepared by passing it thorough a 3
stage metal pre-treatment wash that cleans and forms a coat of zirconium phosphate on
the metal. This process consists of the following stages;
1. Wash and clean (stage 1)
2. Zirconium coating (stage 2)
3. Rinse and seal (stage 3)
Each closely monitored stage is tested on a daily basis for concentration and Ph,
ensuring compliance with the paint supplier’s specifications.
Dry-off: The pre-treatment process is followed by a dry-off stage that dries the part and
sets it for maximum protection. This results in a surface that is in optimal condition for
receiving the protective paint finish.
Painting Application: The protective painting finish, TGIC (triglycidyl isocyanurate)
Polyester Powder, is electrostatically applied and then thermally set to a hard, durable
coating.
Protective Pain Finish Properties and Specifications
Material: TGIC Polyester Powder (see 900 Series spec. sheet for details)
Powder paints generally outperform other paint technologies. They are tougher, last
longer, and are more resistant to abrasion and impact damage.
Powder paints are also considered more environmentally friendly than other paints,
emitting virtually zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Coating formulated using
polyester TGIC resins offer excellent mechanical properties, corrosion protection, and
edge coverage. In addition, they are specifically known for excellent indoor and outdoor
durability.
Optima EPS 1775‐M Macleod Dr, Lawrenceville GA 30043 Phone: 770‐945‐9419 The powder paint used at Optima demonstrates all these desirable characteristics. It
has exceeded expectations in all applications. 9000 Series TGIC Polyester Systems
have a broad formulating range and can meet many decorative and functional
requirements for gloss, physical properties, chemical resistance, color, and weather
ability. Products in this series can be used in thick film applications. Typical uses
include: aluminum extrusions, playground equipment, agricultural equipment, and
machinery.
•
The following table compares typical properties of thermosetting powder
coatings. Table information is provided by the Powder Coating Institute,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
Property
Epoxy/Polyest
er Hybrid
Epoxy
Polyester
Urethane
Acrylic
Urethane
HB-2H
HB-2H
Pencil
Hardness
80-160 in-lb
80-160 in-lb
Direct Impact
(48.2-96.4
m*kg)
(48.2-96.4
m*kg)
Resistance*
Excellent
Poor
Outdoor
Weatherability
Excellent
Excellent
Adhesion
*Tested at a coating thickness of 2.0mil.
HB-5H
HB-3H
HB-3H
80-160 in-lb
(48.2-96.4 m*kg)
Poor
80-160 in-lb
(48.2-96.4 m*kg)
Very Good
20-60 in-lb
(12.1-36.2 m*kg)
Very Good
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
•
TGICPolyester
The TGIC powder, as formulated for Optima, has the following properties that
have been verified by appropriate testing on actual production samples at a
nominal film thickness of 2.0-6.0 mils (ASTM D-1186):
Test
Result
Salt Spray
Less than 1/16” undercoating after 1000 hrs of exposure, 1000 hrs of exposure
in 5% salt spray at 95 Deg F and 95% relative humidity (ASTM B-117-97).
H-3H (ASTM D-3363)
No lifting of 1/8” squares between scribed lines when cross hatch adhesion is
tested using the prescribed tape. (ASTM D-3359)
55-65 @ 60 degrees (ASTM D-523)
1000 hours minimum (ASTM D-4585)
After 1 year of sun exposure, coatings exhibit a minimal loss of gloss and no
deterioration.
160 inch-pounds, direct and reverse, at a film thickness of 2 mils. (D-2794-93)
A coating of 2 mils or less will withstand a bend of 180 Deg. (D-522-93a)
Hardness
Adhesion
Gloss
Humidity
UV Exposure
Impact Resistance
Flexibility
•
Quality Control
To 1000 hours minimum (ASTM ensure the quality of the paint system, the following
tests are periodically performed.
‐
Hardness – The hardness of paint film is considered acceptable when the rating is within the
H-5H range, when tested per ASTM D-3363.
Optima EPS 1775‐M Macleod Dr, Lawrenceville GA 30043 Phone: 770‐945‐9419 ‐
Adhesion – The method used in assessing the adhesion of coating films to metallic
substrates is in accordance with ASTM D-3359. Paint adhesion is considered acceptable
upon passing of the method B cross-cut tape test, level 5B (no loss of adhesion).
Gloss – Nominal specular gloss value is 55-65 @ 60 degrees, per ASTM D-523.
Impact – No cracking or chipping of paint film upon impact of 160 in-lb (96.4 m*kg) per ASTM
D-2794.
‐
‐
‐
•
Salt Spray Resistance – Painted test panels will withstand a 1000-hour 5% salt spray test,
per ASTM B-117. This testing is performed to ensure conformance to this corrosion
resistance standard.
Comparison of Finish Quality
The chart below shows how TGIC Polyester Powder performs against other
finishes.
TGIC Polyester Powder Finish is Superior To the Following Finishes:
Surface Preparation
Paints
Iron ZincGalvanealled
Phosphate
Phosphate
Steel
Air Dry
Latex
Oil-Based
Epoxy (one-part)
Epoxy (two-part)
Urethane (two-part)
Polyester (two-part)
Baked Water-Born
Baked Enamel
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Optima Code
-1
-2
Fed-Std
27038
IBM
Other
White
-3
Deep Charcoal
-4
Light Gray
Beige
-5
-6
26440
26521
•
Standard Colors:
Standard Color
Black
Sky Blue
•
PANTONE®
8640
Optima
Optima
Other Colors Available
Other colors are considered special and are available at extra cost. A color chip
must be provided with order entry to assist in the proper mixing of the color.
Because color, gloss and texture vary depending on paint type and application
Optima EPS 1775‐M Macleod Dr, Lawrenceville GA 30043 Phone: 770‐945‐9419 method, Optima can not be repsonsible for such variations when matching the
color of existing equipment or equipment form other vendors.
Optima EPS 1775‐M Macleod Dr, Lawrenceville GA 30043 Phone: 770‐945‐9419